Lifestyle

Pirelli Gets a New Grip

March 05, 2007

The new Pirelli Pzero is the tire you’ll want for your Ferrari or Lamborghini

Founded in 1872, Pirelli is known variously around the world for its Pirelli International Award (involving the communication of Science & Technology), its sponsorship of Italian Soccer Club Internazionale and the Brazilian soccer club Palmeiras, the Pirelli Tower in Milan, its highly-sought-after calendars and more recently its short films starring Uma Thurman, but mainly because of its tyres. To celebrate 100 years of motorsport, the Italian icon has launched its most technologically advanced ultra-high performance tyre ever - the P Zero. The tyre features a new tread pattern, innovative compounds and structure, and is protected by five patents. It is already being fitted to the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, the Lamborghini Murciélago and Gallardo, the Audi R8 and S8, the Aston Martin DB9, the Maserati Quattroporte, the Jaguar XK, the Mercedes AMG, and will shortly appear on the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione and the hottest Porsche and BMW models.

The tyre has already been chosen and homologated by manufacturers for use as original equipment on many current and prestigious performance cars.

"P Zero the Hero has been designed and developed to control the extreme performance of supercars and to offer ever higher levels of driving satisfaction and safety for the most demanding drivers." Francesco Gori, CEO of Pirelli Tyres said.

The tyre boasts special nano-composites in the compounds of the tread and the bead (that anchors it to the wheel rim) to guarantee a comfortable ride as well as high-end sports performance.

The tread compound provides optimum performance even during the first few kilometres when the tyre is still cold.

The innovative tread pattern offers low noise and superior grip in wet conditions, while the asymmetric DA.Co (Dynamic Asymmetric Contour) profile ensures even wear with a consistent footprint at all speeds.

Moreover, P Zero the Hero has been designed with the utmost respect for the environment as the compounds used contain no aromatic oils.

Thanks to the Hybrid Cord system, the carcass allows the deformation of the tyre profile to be controlled through to speeds up to 370 km/h, increasing the durability of the tyre, not simply in terms of outright mileage, but in the consistency of performance throughout its life.

The tyre is being produced in a variety of sizes ranging from 18 inch to 20 inch.